External control of recliner assembly background of the invention

ABSTRACT

A seat assembly comprising a seat cushion, a seat back and a recliner assembly operatively interconnecting the seat back to the seat cushion. The recliner assembly allows pivotal adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between one of a plurality of reclined seating positions and a stowed position. The recliner assembly is selectively moveable between locked and unlocked states. An input shaft is operatively assembled to the recliner assembly for switching the recliner assembly between the locked and unlocked states. The seat assembly further comprising a mechanism externally engagable with the input shaft of the recliner assembly for adjusting the angular position of the seat back in one of the reclined seating positions and for maintaining the input shaft in the unlocked position while the seat back is pivoted from one of the reclined seating positions to the stowed position. First and second levers are pivotally mounted to the seat cushion and moveable between unreleased and released positions. A guide pin extends from the first lever through a slot in the second lever to synchronize movements of the first and second levers between respective unreleased and released positions. The second lever includes a cam surface for actuating the input shaft between the locked position and unlocked positions when the second lever is moved between the unreleased and released positions, respectively. The second lever further has a flanged tab. A flanged guide extends from the seat back to engage the tab of the second lever in the released position, and by such engagement, maintains the second lever in the released position while moving the seat back between the reclined seating positions and the stowed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The subject invention relates to a mechanism for externallycontrolling a recliner assembly used to selectively lock the angularposition of a seat back relative to a seat cushion of an automotiveseat, and more particularly, to a mechanism which holds the reclinerassembly in an unlocked state while seat back is moved between one of aplurality of reclined positions and a stowed cargo position.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Automotive vehicles include seat assemblies for supporting anoccupant in the vehicle. A typical seat assembly comprises a seatcushion and a seat back interconnected to the seat cushion by a reclinerassembly. The recliner assembly allows pivotal adjustment of the seatback relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of reclinedpositions.

[0005] Recliner assemblies are well known in the vehicle seating art andare commonly used to pivotally connect a seat back to a seat cushion.Recliner assemblies commonly include a fixed flange secured to the seatcushion and a mobile flange secured to the seat back. The mobile flangeis pivotally coupled to the fixed flange. A locking mechanismselectively locks the fixed and mobile flanges. An input shaft ispivotally journaled to the locking mechanism for actuating the lockingmechanism between locked and unlocked states. Typically a release handleextends radially from the input shaft to allow a user to manuallyactuate the locking mechanism, in order to adjust the angular positionof the seat back.

[0006] It is often desirable to have a seat assembly with a seat backthat is moveable from a reclined seating position to a forwardly stowedposition to extend the cargo carrying capacity of the vehicle. Reclinerassemblies known in the art are easily adapted to allow such adjustmentof the seat back. However, the user typically must maintain the reclinerassembly in the unlocked state manually with the release handlethroughout adjustment of the seat back between one of the reclinedseating positions and the stowed position. An example of such a reclinerassembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,481, which issued toRobinson on Feb. 17, 1998.

[0007] Therefore, it remains desirable to provide a mechanism forexternally controlling the recliner assembly that allows the seat backto be adjusted between the plurality of reclined seating positions andthe stowed position without further need to manually maintain therecliner assembly in the unlocked state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention relates to a seat assembly for supporting anoccupant within an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly comprises aseat cushion interconnected to the vehicle and a seat back pivotallyinterconnected to the seat cushion for movement between a plurality ofseating positions and a stowed position overlying the seat cushion. Arecliner assembly extends between the seat cushion and the seat back andis movable between a locked state preventing pivotal movement of theseat back relative to the seat cushion and an unlocked state allowingpivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. A leveris pivotally assembled to the seat cushion for movement between anunreleased position and a released position and operativelyinterconnected to the recliner assembly for externally actuating therecliner assembly between the locked state and the unlocked state whenmoving the lever between the unreleased position and released position,respectively. A bracket extends outwardly from the seat back formovement therewith and is engagable with the lever in the releasedposition during movement of the seat back between the plurality ofseating positions and the stowed position to maintain the lever in thereleased position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciatedas the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automotive seat assemblyincorporating a recliner assembly and a mechanism for externallyactuating the recliner assembly according to one embodiment of theinvention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the mechanism for externallyactuating the recliner assembly with a seat back in a reclined seatingposition;

[0012]FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the mechanism just prior tomoving the seat back from the reclined seating position to a stowedposition;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the mechanism with the seatback locked in the stowed position;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the mechanism for externallyactuating the recliner assembly, according to a second embodiment of theinvention, with the seat back in a reclined seating position;

[0015]FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the mechanism according to thesecond embodiment just prior to moving the seat back from the reclinedseating position to a stowed position;

[0016]FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the mechanism according to thesecond embodiment with the seat back in the stowed position;

[0017]FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the mechanism according to thesecond embodiment with the seat back locked in the stowed position; and

[0018]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mechanism for externallyacuating the recliner assembly, according to a third embodiment of theinvention, with the seat back in a reclined seating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 discloses a seat assembly 10 forsupporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly 10includes a seat cushion 11 and a seat back 12. The seat assembly 10 isreleasably locked into the vehicle by any suitable floor latchingmechanism, such as the mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,965. Arecliner assembly 13 interconnects the seat back 12 and the seat cushion11. The recliner assembly 13 allows angular adjustment of the seat back12 relative to the seat cushion 11 about a pivot axis 14 between a fullforward reclined seating position A1, a rearward reclined seatingposition A2, and one of a plurality of reclined seating positions Atherebetween. Further, the seat back 12 may be moved between one of thereclined seating positions A, A1, A2 and a stowed position B.Preferably, the seat back 12 is biased towards the stowed position B byany suitable biasing means, such as a coil spring or torque rod. Therecliner assembly 13 is biased in a locked state, wherein the angularposition of the seat back 12 relative to the seat cushion 11 ismaintained. The recliner assembly 13 can be actuated between the lockedstate and an unlocked state, wherein the seat back 12 is freelypivotable relative to the seat cushion 11. An example of such a reclineris shown PCT application CA 99/00653, published Feb. 10, 2000, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, an input shaft 16 extends axially from therecliner assembly 13 and is moveable between an unreleased position anda released position. Pivotal movement of the input shaft 16 between theunreleased and released positions actuates the recliner assembly 13between the locked and locked states, respectively. A lever arm 17extends radially from the input shaft 16 for externally actuating therecliner assembly 13. Preferably, the input shaft 16 is biased to theunreleased position by any suitable biasing member, such as by a coilspring.

[0021] The seat assembly 10 further includes an external controlmechanism allowing for actuation of the recliner assembly 13 between thelocked and unlocked states. Further, the external control mechanismmaintains the recliner assembly 13 in the unlocked state while the seatback 12 is moved between one of the reclined seating positions A, A1, A2and the stowed position B. More specifically, a handle or first lever 30extends between a proximal end 31 pivotally assembled to the seatcushion 11 by a first pivot pin 33 and an opposite distal end 32. Thefirst lever 30 is rotatable between an unreleased position, shown inFIG. 2, and a released position, shown in FIG. 3. A guide pin 34projects axially from between the proximal and distal ends 31, 32 of thefirst lever 30. When the first lever 30 is rotated about the first pivotpin 33, the guide pin 34 follows a radial swing path, indicated as C inFIG. 2.

[0022] A second lever 40 is pivotally assembled to the seat cushion 11by a second pivot pin 42 spaced apart from the first pivot pin 33.Similar to the first lever 30, the second lever 40 is rotatable betweenan unreleased position, shown in FIG. 2, and a released position, shownin FIG. 3. The second lever 40 is further rotatable between the releasedposition and an extended position to release the floor latchingmechanism in conjunction with movement of the seat back 12 towards thestowed position B. A bowden cable, or the like, extends between andinterconnects the second lever 40 and the floor latching mechanism.Movement of the second lever 40 between the released and extendedpositions releases the floor latching mechanism. A longitudinal guideslot 43 is formed in the second lever 40 for receiving the guide pin 34therethrough and is aligned generally normal to the swing path C of theguide pin 34. The guide pin 34 while slidably engaged with the guideslot 43 provides generally synchronous movement of both the first andsecond levers 30, 40 between the respective unreleased and releasedpositions. A cam surface 41 formed in the second lever 40 extendsbetween upper and lower portions 41 a, 41 b for actuating the lever arm17. The upper portion 41 a actuates the lever arm 17 when the secondlever 40 rotates between the unreleased and released positions. Thelever arm 17 engages the lower portion 41 b of the cam surface 41 whenthe lever 40 rotates between the released and extended positions. Whileengaged with the lower portion 41 b, the lever 40 remains in thereleased position.

[0023] A flanged tab 44 extends outwardly from the second lever 40 forengaging the seat back 12. More specifically, a guide bracket 50 fixedlyassembled to the seat back 12 includes an arcuate flanged guide 51radially spaced apart from the pivot axis 14. In the released position,the second lever 40 presents the flanged tab 44 for engaging the flangedguide 51. The flanged tab 44 of the second lever 40 slidably rides theflanged guide 51 to maintain the second lever 40 in the releasedposition during movement of the seat back 12 between the full forwardreclined seating position A1 and the stowed position B.

[0024] In operation, a user adjusts the angular position of the seatback 12 by holding the first lever 30 in the released position, as shownin FIG. 3. The guide pin 34 acting upon the edges of the guide slot 43rotates the second lever 40 to the released position. As the secondlever 40 rotates to the released position, the cam surface 41 engagesthe lever 17 to rotate the input shaft 16 from the unreleased positionto the released position. In response, the recliner assembly 13 movesfrom the locked state to the unlocked state, wherein the seat back 12 isfreely movable between the reclined seating positions A, A1, A2 and thestowed position B. The recliner assembly 13 is allowed to return underinternal bias to the locked to lock the seat back 12 once adjusted to adesired position. More specifically, as the input shaft 16 returns tothe unreleased position, the lever arm 17 exerts force on the camsurface 41 to move the second lever 40 towards the unreleased position.Concurrently, the edges of the guide slot 43 act upon the guide pin 34to move the first lever 30 to the unreleased position. Alternatively,either or both of the first and second levers 30, 40 may be biased tothe respective unreleased positions, by any conventional biasing means,such as by a tensioned helical spring.

[0025] The seat back 12 can be moved from any one of the reclinedseating positions A, A1, A2 to the stowed position B by rotating thesecond lever 40 to the released position either directly or by liftingupwardly on the first lever 30. As described above, the input shaft 16pivots to the released position to unlock the recliner assembly 13. Theseat back 12 is freely rotatable relative to the seat cushion 11.Further, with the second lever 40 in the unreleased position, theflanged tab 44 is presented for engaging the flanged guide 51. As theseat back 12 rotates between the full forward reclined seating positionA1 and the stowed position B, the flanged guide 51 engages the flangedtab 44 to maintain the second lever 40 in the released position. Thus,with the flanged tab 44 engaged with the flanged guide 51, it is nolonger necessary to manually hold either of the first or second levers30, 40 in the respective released positions.

[0026] When the seat back 12 reaches the stowed position B, the flangedguide 51 falls out of engagement with the flanged tab 44. The first andsecond levers 30, 40 and the input shaft 16 all return to theirrespective unreleased positions. The recliner assembly 13 returns to thelocked state to lock the seat back 12 in the stowed position B againstthe seat cushion 11, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0027] Similarly, the seat back 12 can be moved from the stowed positionB to the full forward reclined seating position A1 by first rotating thesecond lever 40 to the released position either directly or by liftingupwardly on the first lever 30. In response, the input shaft 16 pivotsto the released position to actuate the recliner assembly 13 to theunlocked state. The seat back 12 is then freely rotatable relative tothe seat cushion 11. With the second lever 40 in the unreleasedposition, the flanged tab 44 is presented for engaging the flanged guide51. While the seat back 12 rotates between the stowed position B and thefull forward reclined seating position A1, the flanged guide 51 engagesthe flanged tab 44 to maintain the second lever 40 in the releasedposition. When the seat back 12 reaches the full forward reclinedseating position A1, the flanged guide 51 falls out of engagement withthe flanged tab 44. The first and second levers 30, 40 and the inputshaft 16 all return to the respective unreleased positions. The reclinerassembly 13 returns to the locked state to lock the seat back 12 in thefull forward reclined seating position A1.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative embodiment of theinvention is shown with the seat back 12 in a reclined seating position.The seat back 12 is moveable between the reclined seating position and astowed position, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. A guide pin 144 extends axiallyfrom the second lever 40 for engaging the seat back 12. Morespecifically, a guide bracket 150 extends from the seat back 12 havingan arcuate slot 151 for receiving the guide pin 144. The guide pin 144extends axially through the slot 151 for sliding engagement therein. Theslot 151 is disposed between forward and rearward notches 152, 153 eachadapted to receive the guide pin 144 when the seat back 12 is in thestowed and reclined seating positions, respectively.

[0029] In use, the guide pin 144 is seated in the rearward notch 153when the seat back 12 is locked in the reclined seating position. Whenthe second lever 40 is moved to the released position, as shown in FIGS.6 and 7, either directly or indirectly through the first lever 30, theguide pin 144 is removed from the rearward notch 153 and presented forengaging the slot 151. As the seat back 12 is moved from the reclinedseating position to the stowed position, the guide pin 144 slides withinthe slot 151 towards the forward notch 152. The guide pin 144 whileengaged with the arcuate slot 151 maintains the second lever 40 in theunreleased position. In turn, the input shaft 16 is also held in therespective unreleased position, ultimately maintaining the reclinerassembly 13 in the unlocked state. The seat back 12 can continue movingtowards the stowed position without manually holding either the firstlever 30 or the second lever 40 in the released position. When the seatback 12 reaches the stowed position, shown in FIG. 8, the guide pin 144enters the forward notch 152 to allow the first and second levers 30, 40to return to the respective unreleased positions. The recliner assembly13 returns to the locked state to lock the seat back 12 in the stowedposition.

[0030] Similarly, to return the seat back 12 from the stowed position tothe reclined seating position, the second lever 40 is moved to thereleased position to actuate the recliner assembly 13 to the unlockedstate. As the seat back 12 is moved towards the reclined seatingposition, the guide pin 144 engages the slot 151 to maintain the secondlever 40 in the released position. Once the seat back 12 reaches thereclined seating position, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide pin 144 entersthe rearward notch 53 to allow the first and second levers 30, 40 toreturn to the respective unreleased positions. The recliner assembly 13returns to the locked state and locks the seat back 12 in the reclinedseating position.

[0031]FIG. 9 discloses a second alternative embodiment of the invention.A dump lever 240 pivotally mounted to the seat cushion 11 by a pivot pin242 extends generally rearwardly for movement between unreleased andreleased positions. The dump lever 240 is further moveable between thereleased position and an extended position, wherein the dump lever 240remotely releases the floor latching mechanism through a bowden cable orany other suitable remote means. A cam surface 241 extending betweenupper and lower portions 241 a and 241 b is formed in the dump lever240. The cam surface 241 actuates the recliner assembly 13 throughengagement with the lever arm 17. A rivet 244 fixedly secured to thedump lever 240 is presented for engaging the flanged guide 51 when thedump lever 240 is in the released position. The rivet 244 engages theflanged guide 51 as the seat back 12 rotates between the full forwardreclined seating position A1 and the stowed position B, as illustratedin FIG. 1, to maintain the dump lever 240 in the released position, andin turn, the recliner assembly 13 in the unlocked state. A stop rivet245 is fixedly secured to the dump lever 240 for engaging the flangedguide 51 while the seat back 12 is adjusted between the reclined seatingpositions A, A1, A2. The stop rivet 245 engages the flanged guide 51 toprevent movement of the dump lever 240 to the extended position whileadjusting the seat back 12 between the reclined seating positions A, A1,A2.

[0032] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, andit is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

[0033] Many modification and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced other than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat assembly for supporting an occupant withinan automotive vehicle, said seat assembly comprising: a seat cushion; aseat back pivotally interconnected to said seat cushion for movementrelative to said seat cushion between a plurality of seating positionsand a stowed position overlying said seat cushion; a recliner assemblycoupled between said seat cushion and said seat back and operablebetween a locked state preventing pivotal movement of said seat backrelative to said seat cushion and an unlocked state allowing pivotalmovement of said seat back relative to said seat cushion; a leverpivotally assembled to said seat cushion for movement between anunreleased position and a released position and operativelyinterconnected to said recliner assembly for actuating said reclinerassembly between said locked state and said unlocked state when movingsaid lever between said unreleased position and said released position;and a bracket extending from said seat back for movement therewith andengagable with said lever in the released position during movement ofsaid seat back between said plurality of seating positions and saidstowed position to maintain said lever in said released position.
 2. Aseat assembly as set forth in claim 1 including an arm extending fromsaid recliner assembly allowing external actuation of said reclinerassembly between said locked state and said unlocked state.
 3. A seatassembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lever includes a camsurface engagable with said arm to externally actuate said reclinerassembly between said locked state and said unlocked state duringmovement of said lever between said unreleased position and saidreleased position, respectively.
 4. A seat assembly as set forth inclaim 3 wherein said bracket includes a flanged guide engagable withsaid lever in said released position during movement of said seat backbetween said plurality of seating positions and said stowed position tomaintain said lever in said released position.
 5. A seat assembly as setforth in claim 4 wherein said lever includes a tab projecting outwardlytherefrom engagable with said guide during movement of said seat backbetween said plurality of seating positions and said stowed position tomaintain said lever in said released position.
 6. A seat assembly as setforth in claim 5 including a handle extending between a distal end andan opposite proximal end pivotally assembled to said seat cushion formovement of said handle between an unreleased position and a releasedposition, said handle having a pin extending axially therefrom engagablewith said lever to actuate said lever between said unreleased andreleased positions in response to movement of said handle between saidrespective unreleased and released positions.
 7. A seat assembly as setforth in claim 6 wherein said lever includes a slot adapted to receivesaid pin of said handle therethrough, said slot presenting edgesengagable with said pin of said handle during movement of said lever andsaid handle between said respective unreleased and released positions.8. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 7 including a latch mechanismfor releasably interlocking said seat cushion to the vehicle.
 9. A seatassembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said lever is movable betweenan extended position for releasing said latching mechanism and either ofsaid unreleased position or said released position for locking saidlatching mechanism.
 10. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 9 whereinsaid lever includes a stop projecting axially therefrom presented forstriking said flanged guide when said seat back is positioned betweenany one of said plurality of seating positions, whereby said lever isconfined to movement between said unreleased position and said releasedposition.
 11. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidbracket includes a slot adapted to engage said lever in said releasedposition during movement of said seat back between said plurality ofseating positions and said stowed position to maintain said lever insaid released position.
 12. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 11including a pin extending axially from said lever through said slot insaid bracket engagable with said slot during movement of said seat backbetween said plurality of seating positions and said stowed position tomaintain said lever in said released position.
 13. A seat assembly asset forth in claim 12 wherein said slot in said bracket is disposedbetween a rearward notch and a forward notch each adapted to receivesaid pin when said lever is in said unreleased position and when saidseat back is locked in either one of said plurality of seating positionsand said stowed position, respectively.
 14. A seat assembly as set forthin claim 13 including a handle extending between a distal end and anopposite proximal end pivotally assembled to said seat cushion formovement of said handle between an unreleased position and a releasedposition, said handle having a pin extending axially therefrom engagablewith said lever to move said lever between said unreleased and releasedpositions during movement of said handle between said respectiveunreleased and released positions.